Nightingales Don't Die Poem by Madathil Rajendran Nair
Nightingales Don't Die
I never had an ear for music,
my design always shuddered at lyrics;
that is the way I am made,
my ears and vocal chords fail to resonate.
I have walked the dusty streets
in the bustle of our cities,
both small and big,
and the unpopulated wilderness,
watched sunset and sunrise
from mountain tops, deserts and sea-sides.
And wherever I went
a nightingale always crooned.
Didn't bother who that was
or where she hid,
for something in me melted in that melody,
though unknown were its subtle metrics,
frequency, waves,
or the tongue whether it was
Hindi, Marathi, some other language.
And now people say
the nightingale has flown away
into the folds of time;
how can that be?
The croon I hear here,
there everywhere,
it can't leave me
but only fill my inside
with nectar, even when I lie
dead on a mountainside
listening to a songful passerine.
For nightingales don't die
and me too with Lata-ji
the nightingale inside me
crooning, crooning and crooning.
Image courtesy: Getty Images
Those who know about music say that God sings In Lataji's voice. God has lost one of his voices, maybe it was His choicest voice too.
Thanks a lot for your very thoughtful observation Unnikrishnanji.
I'm glad I looked beyond the poem, to the photo and comments to understand what/who 'nightingale' refers to in the poem. : )
CONGRATULATIONS BEING The Best Poem on number 63 of Member Poets.Fantastic!
A Great Elegy to the Greatest Indian female singer famous over the whole globe.This is an utmost loveliest Tribute for the Great Singer. I love your brillint Ode very much.5 Stars Top Score and myriad more.
That is a wonderful tribute to Lata Mangeshkar. Loved it. She is, no doubt, immortal.5 *s
I've read again and this time sent to my 'favorites' by clicking on heart symbol near the poem's title. bri : )
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/27/2024 1:50:42 AM # 1.0.0.1119
What a lovely tribute to Lataji. Her mesmerising voice rules supreme in the hearts of millions of people worldwide.There will never be another Lata Mangeskar. Yes, truly said 'Nightingales don't die'
Thanks a lot, Bharati-ji, fir pausing to comment. Appreciate it.